Plantation Grill
61-3642 Kawaihae Rd, Kawaihae, HI, 96743
Plantation Grill Menu
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Address :
61-3642 Kawaihae Rd
Kawaihae, HI, 96743 - Phone (808) 882-1200
- Website https://www.plantationgrillhawaii.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Diane C.
My husband and I had an unexpected awesome dinner. I am not a big meat eater but the pork ribs were smoked all day and the meat fell off the bones. The flavor was savory with just the right amount of spice. They were memorable!! I'm still thinking about them now. The ribs were paired with a slaw that was seasoned perfectly to go with the ribs. The waiter from Portland was friendly, knowledgeable, and fast. When I ordered the ribeye , he mentioned that the ribs were to die for and from the island. He mentioned that the ribeye was not local. He was knowledgable about all the ingredients in the dishes and the origins. The drinks were GOOOOD. I recommend the Lilikoi margarita. I loved it so much in had 2 with dinner. We were recommended by some friends in Hawi to go to the Blue Dragon for great food and slack guitar every thurs fri sat. But our plans changed when we arrived. The BD music was r&b. granted we didn't have reservations but we felt ignored. When I signed in and asked the host what the wait was, she didn't answer. She just kept blowing us off. So we decided to leave. I'm so happy we did because the food was phenomenal at the Plantation grill. The chef at PG knows how to develop flavors and the food was cooked perfectly.
(5)Adonis A.
We made a reservation her on Mother's Day, because we wanted to spend the day up near the beaches up there. They gave my wife a flower on the way in (which was a nice touch). The waiter was extremely friendly. He recommended the ribs and said they were the best, even compared to mainland standards. I was skeptical, but we agreed to order it. THEY WERE AMAZING! Definitely get them when you go here. They really were excellent, I wish I could get more of them. The other food we got was okay, but I would definitely come back here just for the ribs. Overall, a great atmosphere, good dining and a lot of fun.
(4)Parker P.
Maybe this was an off night for them? This place came highly-recommended however we did not enjoy our experience here. Husband's fish was overcooked. We were seated next to some stairs which were covered in lots of little bugs we noticed half way through our meal. I know we are on an island however we lost our appetite. A shame because we wanted a super nice meal to end our trip with to the Big Island. To top things off, we got to enjoy another server berate the other workers loudly. Sorry - not coming back. Wish we would have asked for a refund.
(2)Patrik K.
Very good food and excellent service. We like the calamari and the tropical fish. The outside patio is nice to sit outside. It's calm but a little noisy from the street.
(4)Shalee S.
I'm so glad we ended up going here! The food looked a little fussy so I wasn't sure at first but it was all really good. The drinks were well crafted. The lobster ravioli was amazing! We had a party of six and everyone enjoyed their food. Service was great and our waiter was funny.
(5)Kathrina C.
My now husband and I got married on a Monday afternoon. We had his parents and friends with us to end the night with something delish in mind, but of course, did not make reservations. Found a few places, but had a long wait. So, of course, I searched through good ol Yelp. Glad that I did! This place is a rare gem. We will be coming back again, and again whenever we visit this island. The food was amazing, good portion, delish ingredients, and fresshhh. Its a little pricey, but can't beat the quality of the food. It was sooo good. Perfect way to end our night. Drinks, great company, the place was not crowded, romantic lightings, and the service was awesome. Check it out if your nearby. Btw...they arent open on Tuesdays :)
(5)Jade F.
This is a nice, cozy place and the people are nice. The dishes aren't all equally delicious, however, so find what you like. Also, make a reservation! We tried (in order of preference): - Ribs - Island Ahi - Fish & Chips - Lobster Linguini The ribs were fall off the bone and perfectly seasoned (5/5). The ahi was cooked wonderfully, but the flavors were bland (3.5/5). The fish & chips were okay, nothing special (3/5). The lobster linguini was very under seasoned and the lobster had a rubbery texture with a funny taste (2). Regarding reservations, we arrived on a Friday without one. We had to wait about 20 minutes (no biggie), only to enter a restaurant that was only half full, and it remained that way during our visit. We had a similar waiting experience at another restaurant nearby, which is baffling. Bottom line: It's great if you find what you like. I am on the fence on whether or not I'll return.
(3)Christal M.
I had one of the best meals of my entire Big Island trip here. We came on a Monday night and we almost had the whole place to ourselves. There is no ocean view, but the decor is cute and casual. Plus there is air conditioning! Make sure you start with the smoked mahi and clam chowder ($9), even if you don't normally like chowder! It's hot, creamy and everything you would want in a chowder. The bowl is enough to share with someone if you want to save room for the main course. The complimentary toasted bread slices go well with the chowder. Don't be afraid to ask for more if your table already devoured the first round. The bread comes with an addicting tomato/olive oil dip that makes it hard not to fill up on. I ordered the lobster linguini ($30) and it really hit the spot. They make their own fresh pasta and you can taste the difference. The half lobster was a good size and the white wine cream sauce was yummy. I only wish the pasta hadn't soaked up all the sauce so quickly. I had a taste of the smoked baby back ribs and fish tacos as well. The ribs were fall off the bone tender. The fish tacos were good fried as well as seared. They were some of the best fish tacos I've ever tasted. If you don't order these dishes yourself, talk someone in your party to, so you can try them. It's not cheap to eat here despite being away from the resort hotels, but you get quality food. All of the seafood comes from the bay just across the way. Definitely make the effort to come here if you can.
(5)Sharon S.
Mahalo nui loa, Startsman 'ohana, for what we have come to realize is the BEST dining on the Kohala coast. From Leiala's beautiful welcome to the young lady who waited on us (she lives in Waipio Valley) our dinner was wonderful. . We appreciate the super clean restaurant, excellent service, perfectly prepared fresh ingredients(lobster, shrimp) and ambiance. We also love your music..Gabby, The Caz and Iz! It's so nice to know that there are still real professionals in Paradise! Thank you so much, Dick and Sharon Solmssen
(5)Amber G.
Plantation grill might not have an amazing ocean view, but what does have is a relaxed tropical ambiance and great food. Their fish was perfectly cooked with great flavors and beautifully presented. They also have some pretty scrumptious drinks. I highly recommend the lilikoi margherita.
(4)Kevin N.
A quiet gem!! Service was outstanding and our party of 10 tried many different entrees, all very good. The fish was amazing and cooked just right. The baby back ribs fell off the bone. We opted for three desserts and all surpassed expectations. Having been to the Big Island dozens of times cannot believe we just found out about this place. Definitely will go back on our next visit!
(5)Kevin L.
After reading the reviews on Yelp this morning, we decided to try this place for our kid free date night and it did not disappoint. The server was incredibly informative, the place felt like Hawaii and they even had a one man band playing island music. We tried the clam chowder that was some of the best we have had, my wife's baby back ribs were falling off the bone and had a nice zing to them and my fish and risotto was great. All in all. Great place, great service, great food and a reasonable price compared to other Hawaiian restaurants.
(5)Molly A.
Our server Robert made this meal the best yet on the island. He was right off the bat so friendly and knowledgable and made us feel right at home. We sat outside on the patio during sunset and it was so relaxing. We started out with the clam chowder to split (the bowl is huge!) and it was the best I've ever had. It has smoked mahi mahi in it that makes it have a little kick to it. I ordered the mahi mahi and shrimp cooked in parchment paper with the house made pasta on the side-- SO good. My husband got the tenderloin that is local grass fed beef that was also super delicious. We had to end the night with the pineapple upside down cake that did not disappoint. It came with homemade whipped cream and local vanilla ice cream. This place is a great gem and a short drive if you are staying in the Waikoloa area.
(5)Pamela B.
One of the best dinners I have had on the Big Island. Fresh local seafood and vegetables. Creatively prepared and expertly seasoned. Attentive, friendly waiters. Parking is a little tricky so better to dine early. Patio sitting or comfortable tables inside with quaint decor and historic photos of the harbor. The wine list is fairly limited but the waiter graciously allowed me tastings prior to making a final selection. Overall a lovely dining experience and a wonderful island flavor.
(4)Bart B.
Fantastic experience, ate here twice in 5 days. Best Mai tai I had on the island. The fish the first night was delicious with artful presentation, the ribs the second night were falling off the bone, so tender. Had bananas foster, my wife had brownie with vanilla ice cream. We'll be back
(5)Lisa N.
The food was disappointing. Ribs were the best thing but the rest of the food was okay and weird combinations. Bell peppers and beet salad??? It just didn't taste right together. And goat cheese and scallops?? Atmosphere was nice and cute place but wasn't too impressed.
(2)Ash M.
From Oahu, first time to the big island. We were looking for a place to have dinner! So glad we chose this place! Food is AMAZING! Good portion size! Great service! Will definitely be coming back!
(5)Al M.
Great service great food. One of those places you try because of the Yelp reviews. All I can say is ditto to all the positive reviews.
(5)Ann K.
Vegetarians there are a few options for you, but not many. There are three choices of salads, I tried the house salad and it was mixed green with tomatoes in a vinaigrette, a corkscrew of carrot and some croutons. It could have benefitted from more vegetables, perhaps onions or peppers. There were vegetable sides, like green beans, asparagus, mashed potatoes, and a pasta with pesto sauce to choose from. I went with white steamed rice and a vegetable plate--summer squash, onions, peppers, tomatoes. It was seasoned like a stir fry and quite delicious. My husband got the fish and chips and seemed to enjoy the fish which was not too oily. The waitress was a lovely person who was friendly, attentive, and professional. A very nice surprise for us was the live music provided by a local who had a very nice voice, knew his Hawaiian songs and played along on his guitar.
(4)Gazelle P.
Been coming here for three years. Never like to comment first because of service, but I am. Hostess disorganized. Bartender annoyed that we asked for drinks then to change the TV from BB to Golf, no one was watching anyway?? Waitress was aloof. No personality. At all! Last year we had great all around service and food. What happened? Beet salad last year was above expectations so ordered again, WTF? Came for lobster night...ok. Ribs we ok as well. There you have it. :/ You decide? We won't go back. Sorry
(1)Steve S.
Not sure where the one mediocre review dines but this would be in my top 5 restaurants if it was in Atlanta. We planned on eating at the Blue Dragon but with an hour plus wait, we ventured two doors down to this wonderful find! Located in an old General Store that's been there since the 1850's (I believe) and rebuilt in 1932. You can tell the owner's love that goes into the meals and service! The Mai Tai was the best I've had on the island. Definitely try the lychee Martini too! Ask for the bread which is served with an olive purée and olive oil which is outstanding. The calamari was perfect and the chili vinaigrette gives it just the right zing. They have a few different preparations for the fresh fish they have that evening. My wife had the fresh Mahi and shrimp en papilotte (sp?) steamed in parchment with hand made pasta which she is still raving about. After hearing the fish and chips was Mahi I couldn't pass that up. While it's an unhealthy fish meal, its one of my vices that I have had all over the world. They nailed it, probably #4 ever. One piece was just slightly soggy inside. And I'm being very critical here as a fish and chips snob ;) Too stuffed for dessert! Under $100 for drinks, app and meals. Located just minutes away from Hapuna Prince and Mauna Kea resorts. Just go!
(5)Howard M.
Top 5 reasons to run (don't walk) to this family-owned & operated local restaurant: 5. Old Hawaii ambience, with indoor (A/C) and outdoor dining 4. Good value including a happy hour menu when you can get $5.00 fish tacos (very filling and the fish is uber fresh), and $5.00 margaritas. 3. Great service pampers customers so we felt like we were in a much costlier restaurant. 2. Nice variety of desserts: lilikoi sherbet or pineapple upside down cake are favorites. 1. Fantastic rib eye steak, fish, hunter chicken, and other delights too numerous to list. The salads are always fresh and immaculate, service is paced well, never had a bad dish in two years of steady patronage. Only downside is the view, or lack of. They have several inventive dishes for the adventurous foodie!
(5)Abigail N.
My husband and I went here for dinner on Christmas Eve, we walked in without a reservation and were thrilled to hear there was an available table for us on the patio. The service was excellent! Our server, Amy, was very helpful and answered all of our questions thoroughly. When deciding between two plates (the $12 burger or the $20? ribs) she described them equally well and didn't push for the more expensive dish. The food was great! We had the calamari, caesar salad, and burger. Everything was flavorful(all the way through) and fresh tasting. We will be back :) The one down fall is the location. The restaurant is facing the Kawaihea Harbor and it does completely take away from the view. They did plant out the front of the restaurant with a palm hedge which really does make a difference. Otherwise the building is very welcoming and feels like you are dining in an old plantain style home.
(5)Perry N.
Outstanding! The chef pairs great flavors, like a beet salad with grilled pears, macadamia nuts and citrus. Fresh fish, great service, too!
(5)Faye C.
Amazing food and great service! I had the Island fish which was so delicious. My husband had the half rack of ribs that melted off the bones. My daughter enjoyed the kid's fish n chips. Save room for dessert- the pineapple upside-down cake was amazing. Our waiter was very helpful and super-friendly. Highly recommend!
(5)Linda B.
Our server was so welcoming and friendly. He took the time to describe all the dishes we asked about. I had seared mahi mahi tacos and they were delicious. My boyfriend had the ahi tuna cooked island style and it was really really good. This placed served the BEST Mai-Tai I've ever had. I would recommend and go back.
(4)Taylor W.
WOW! When you first approach this building, it doesn't promise much. It look a little run down and when I was greeted at first, I didn't get a welcoming vibe. Once our server came out though, the atmosphere changed. We were greeted with a great sense of humor and exceptional knowledge of the menu. The menu was fairly simple, however there was too much to choose from. Our server told us with pride how they obtained the fresh food and prepared it - you'll have to ask them for yourself, I wouldn't want to spoil this :) The food was brought out in good time and was a delight! It was presented beautifully and tasted even better! I was so impressed. CAUTION: wear stretchy pants...you will eat a lot!
(5)Terry K.
Plantation Grill was the new venue during my visit. Impressed with the ambience of the ocean air, tropical setting, and great service, my sis and I decide to order more than we could eat. Truthfully, the chef and owners were new (or so I understood) and as such, we had to try: They had a meal special which included everything but the kitchen sink. We started with their salad of LOCALLY GROWN greens with their creamy vinegarette dressing. The dressing was excellent; not to sweet nor tart (a keeper). Salad was chased with a bowl of cold potato and leek soup topped with chives Chased that with a PLATTER of seafood: lobster tail, crab legs, scallops, calamari and mahimahi; each prepared with a different flair and sauce! Yikes! Last but not least; we ended with their creme brulee (lilikoi flavor) and coffee ice cream. A definite MUST TRY for all. Oh, one last thing. The price was better than right. It was priced to please
(5)Elise W.
I hate to leave a negative review, but we tried this place because of the positive reviews, and were disappointed. The food was just not very good. It's that simple. The atmosphere was pleasant enough, and the service was excellent. But the bottom line is we really didn't enjoy our meals, and wished we had dined elsewhere.
(2)Sarah J.
My boyfriend and I came here as an escape from the corporate craziness of Waikoloa where we were staying with my family. This place was exactly what we needed. There was a bit of a wait for a table, so we opted for the cozy little bar. The bartender, who had a bit of a southern accent, was so friendly and fun to talk to. I had the Island Fish, which was Ahi that night, and it was the best meal I had on the island the whole week we were there. My boyfriend is a vegetarian and had the Tropical Fish without the fish--and it was still delicious. I can also vouch for the lychee martinis :-) If you need to getaway from the glitzy, obnoxious resort world, I whole-heartedly recommend this place.
(5)Rob G.
Had a wonderful meal, the staff was all over us and by that I mean we had the best service to go along with the great meal, I would recommend this place to everyone.
(5)Wayne P.
I read the reviews and hoped for a really good experience. Off the bat, it started off bad. We were shown a table that was not cleaned off. We waited 5 mins before they came back to clear, 5 mins to clean the table and to give us a high chair. To top it off, we received no menus, I had to go to the bar to get them. The food was blah. The steamed fish of the day was bland and over cooked (dry). If you are paying $33, the fish should be well seasoned or complemented with a good sauce. We also got the lobster and crab pot pie which was decent, but not something I would get again. If you go here, I hope you have better luck than we did.
(2)John K.
I typically like to explore different places when I travel but we are here twice when we were visiting because it was so good. Fantastic service and the food was unusual but great. First night we started with their Lilikoi ginger drink and it was so good we drank them all night (and next). Next we had their app sampler that had a great preview of their ribs which were fall off the bone tender. We also got a bowl of soup which was huge and an unusual fish and clam chowder that was super thick but really tasty. It has a nice mildly spicy kick to it too. For entrees several of us had their fish island style. The fish they had was Ono which was just seared and really good. I've never had Ono seared before and it's often overlooked but that preparation was great. We also added a half lobster to those and ended up with way too much good. We ended with a mud pie dessert which wasn't anything special but overall a great dining experience. Next night we went back and had king crab which they only have of Friday's. That was great and they were super accommodating when we wanted to try their fresh pasta as a side instead of what came with it. Definitely a go to spot!
(5)Joe V.
This place is amazing. The best Mai Tai I've ever had. The staff is awesome. Very attentive. The baby back ribs fell off the bone. Different from traditional mainland ribs in flavor but delicious!! The mango dessert is to die for.
(5)Jim M.
Fabulous find for dining on our island visit. We were greeted by our server Robert and the dining experience began. Each of our choices was infused with such great local flavors. This restaurant is not to be missed if you are on the west side. Take the time to rest awhile Old Hawaii style, with some delicious food and drink.
(5)Tuong N.
Definitely not as good as described. Example, seared mahi tuna next to a slop of coleslaw? Or delicate scallop on top a ball of fried goat cheese? No way, that's too heavy handed I think, good maybe on big island but not in mainland cuisine, critics will trash these in Portland Oregon where we live. Very ho hum meal my whole family agreed. Oh I forgot about the spare rib, which fell off the bone alright but were dried, our hungry daughter still could not eat half of the half rack, completely forgettable.
(3)Jared D.
My favorite casual dining spot on the Big Island. Wide variety of fresh, local, and creative dishes. Great ambiance, especially when dining on the wrap around deck. My mahi mahi was perfect and I don't even really like fish!
(5)Chuck K.
OMG, we went there tonight! Unbelievable meal! My wife had the Beet salad, I had the mixed green salad for starters. Great starters! We had the Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo with homemade pasta, and the Mahi Mahi Shrimp wrapped in parchment paper with homemade Pasta with Pesto! Both dishes were excellent. I wish we would have found this place on the first night instead of the last! This is our 22nd trip to the islands and we will tell others about this great restaurant find! I will recommend this place to everyone I know that plans a trip to the Big Island!
(5)Wilson O.
Wow, this unassuming restaurant was awesome. It was a culinary experience. Ahi dish was great and ribs were the best ever. Mac and cheese as appetizer is a must to do family style. Wine list solid and service was excellent. A big island must.
(5)Lynn N.
Sooooo good! We took our out of state relative there as well as being our first time there. Everyone's dish was prepared perfect and was just wonderful. I had the beef tenderloin and it just melted in my mouth. My husband had fish and chips and he said they were the best he had ever eaten! Which is very rare for him to say. Also- get dessert! You will not be disappointed! The fresh pineapple upside down cake warm with local tropical dreams ice cream was just awesome! One of our new favorite restaurants!!
(5)Aydin K.
Excellent food with friendly service! Came here with my family, and we were throughly impressed. We shared the food, so I got a good sense of the overall quality. The mahi mahi was delicately seasoned and cooked to perfection. Probably the best we had during our 10 day stay on the island. The baby back ribs (marinated for a week by the way) were excellent. Delicious lobster linguine with hand made pasta. The lamb osso bucco was hearty, tasty and satisfying. Excellent drinks. Live music on Thursday. The entire family was happy.
(5)Debbie M.
Glad we found plantation grill! Great Caesar salad followed by fish tacos for me and rack of ribs for my husband Very friendly service.
(5)Nick A.
Not the 4.5 stars I saw in the reviews. While not terrible, it is mediocre at best. Portions were small, especially entree's. Bread was either oven dried out or just stale.....couldn't tell, same result from either. I had eaten here several years ago but understand there is new ownership. I doubt we will return.
(3)Daddy R.
We made the drive north to Kawaihae and could not have been happier with our decision. We were a party of 4 with our two young daughters age 8 and 9. We were greeted at the door by the owner, Justin, although we had no idea he was the owner until he chatted us up at the end of the night. My yougest ordered the smoked Mahi clam chowder and the calamari. Both were awesome, and she warmed up what we took home of the soup the next day and had it again. The calamari had a batter that was seasoned and unique and did not require sauce it was so good. My older daughter had the chicken dish that was cooked with rosemary and came with potatoes and caramelized onions. It was off the regular menu, and was excellent. Great flavors, perfectly prepared, a very nice dish. I ordered the ribs because they were recommended and they did not disappoint. Completely fell off the bone, hardly any fat at all in the meat, and a nice kick to the very original bbq sauce. Some of the best ribs I have ever had. My wife ordered the fresh Mahi prepared plantation style and it was perfect. I knew we had ordered a lot of food so I stayed away from any appetizers although I commented that the macaroni and cheese off the main menu prepared with fried onions and blue cheese sounded interesting. Based on that comment, the waitress brought out a sample during our meal and it was quite good. Seldom do I enjoy every single dish that we order at a restaurant, but that was truly the case here. Our waitress was pleasant, knowledgeable about all the dishes, and gave wonderful service. This place is not only the best restaurant we have tried on the big island, but among some of the best restaurants I have been to period. To top it off, Justin, the owner, is the type of person you want to support. it's an out of the way location, and tucked behind an industrial port, but a place I will be back to every trip to the Big Island.
(5)Tom S.
My wife and I "tried" to eat there last week, but after sitting down and waiting over 10 minutes for our waitress to return to take our order we gave up and left. We watched the two hostess's look at the reservation books over and over and over. PS-the place was empty. We kept seeing other staff members just walk by and stare at us........The place is trying to be high end, but fails miserably in the customer service dept. The food was overpriced and the place has no view at all. Typical overpriced tourist trap. The street noise is unbearable. Save your money and go to Mcdonalds. FAIL. PASS!!
(1)Bill S.
This restaurant underwent a name and ownership change, which in my experience has not been for the better. They don't seem to function as a business very well-- they turn tables very slowly (yet most of them are empty, all reserved for god knows whom) and we watched people without reservations wait well over 90 minutes _just_ to be seated (We had front row seats for the show as our table was right next to the hostess booth). Others in larger parties were flat out turned down. Our waiter was also very wacky, talking to himself while serving us, bringing things we hadn't asked for, and being too casual with us. We pissed off the hostess by asking if we could sit inside (they didn't tell us our table was outside when we made the res., where the cars roar by on the highway 10 or 15 feet away), which didn't help the experience. She blatantly ignored us when we said thanks on our way out. So, the entire experience was not great, but the food was not bad. In fact the ribs were good (however the mashed taters that come on the side are mediocre at best).
(2)pat r.
Excellent dinner experience. This restaurant is near our vacation rental and not wishing to drive far, we looked it up on Yelp ( never having read or heard about it in our travel planning ) and reviews made it our dinner choice for the evening. We were not disappointed . The menu selection offered something for everyone and in all price ranges. We started with a salad that was fresh and crisp with just the right amount of a tasty dressing. The kitchen ran out of mixed lettuce , but made it with romaine instead , which we actually preferred . Our entrees were the fish of the day in papillote and baby back ribs. Generous servings and equally delicious and beautifully presented. We selected a midrange Pinot Noir which nicely complimented our food. Service was superior! Amy, our server, was accommodating, engaging and attentive. Highly recommend this restaurant as an out of the resort choice and we like supporting small local businesses. Pleasant, warm and quiet ambience.
(5)Edward W.
Casual surroundings. Good service. Solid food. With no reservations we were asked to wait in the bar area for a table. Each seat was taken except two, and our arrival made the area especially cozy, elbow to elbow in the very small space. The front porch is a lovely outdoor option. On this particular evening we noted how pleasant sitting out there would be. We were quickly seated in the very casual main dining room on our Wednesday night. The space is non-descript with no particular decor jumping out at you. A picture window frosted with an underwater scene provides a foggy picture of the fluorescent lighted kitchen beyond. Service was ok by Gale. He brought out a tasty, fried calamari with an interesting Thai Lime dipping sauce. Clam chowder was outstanding with loads of delicious clam made even better by the addition of delightful chunks of white fish - mahi, I think. The creamy base was perfectly executed and as good as you'll find anywhere in New England. My colleague had the lobster special, a whole Maine lobster raised in Hawaii. The crustacean was 1.25 pounds, split down the middle, accompanied by a remeken of drawn butter. Sticky rice shared the plate. Classic and good at $29. I opted for the Island Fish preparation of Mahi. The dish was artfully prepared with perfectly cooked and seasoned Mahi sitting atop a bed of julienne vegetables. A scoop of sticky white rice completed the excellent dish. The only complaint: When we ordered the lobster special our server advised us that the price was $29. Thinking the lobster had to be the most expensive item on the menu I ordered the Island Fish. One might reason that the fish plate would be priced south of $29. One would be wrong. It was $36. Was it worth $36? Yes, perhaps, but I couldn't help but think that the waiter should have provided the "market price" when I ordered. Plantation Grill is a solid restaurant on the big island specializing in fish served amidst casual surroundings. Expect tight spaces at the bar and get the "fishy" market pricing before you order and you will enjoy PG!
(4)Mike A.
This was the only restaurant on our trip I regret going to. I got the feeling that it was a tourist trap when I asked the valets and concierge at our resort and none could recommend. We decided to try anyways. The food was less than mediocre, though the server we had was quite friendly. Our server was apologetic about slow service time and kitchen errors. The only remarkable part of the meal was the ice cream that came with our desert, but our server let us know it was made by Tropical Dreams. I only wish that we would have gone to Merrimans or any restaurant other than the Plantation Grill.
(1)Charlie C.
Really enjoyed my dinner tonight at the Plantation Grill. My buddy had a good burger and I had a Prosciutto Wrapped Mahi Mahi. Nice island vibe, good service and good food. I would recommend this place to anyone. Check it out.
(4)Kelly T.
This place was great! Caesar was excellent. Fish tacos one sautéed one fried were really good. Also the smoked mahi mahi chowder was off the chain. My wife had a tomato mango goat cheese salad that the chef made for us that was not on the menu. We liked it. Very casual place chillin with good good food. Best food we had on the island along with Ultimate Burger in Kona.
(5)Tai Q.
During my visit to the Big Island, this was one of the two restaurants that I felt warrant a return visit. I ate at Plantation Grill twice. Both times, I made reservation by phone and was seated right away. The service was excellent during both visits. They really care about customer satisfaction. I recommend ordering "Island Catch & Shrimp Scampi en Papillote"; Mahi Mahi and shrimp scampi and wine wrapped in parchment paper and baked. Delicious & very tender fish! The menu prices are on the moderate side.
(5)Jill E.
As always when looking for a new place to eat, I go to trusty Yelp. Some of the reviews for this place were excellent, others not so much but their on line menu looked good so we decided we'd give it a try on our last night on the Big Island. I had read several reviews that said the service was horrible but we did not find that to be true. Our server might have been a little too chatty, but he knew the menu, was able to answer questions and was very attentive. We sat outside, a bit noisy from the traffic but at least not in the AC. Water appeared immediately and the server shortly after. My husband and I split a caesar salad, it was huge and neither one of us would have had room for dinner after that. Prior to that they brought oil with an olive puree in the bottom with local toasted bread for dipping. Hubby had the ribs which he said were following off the bone and yummy. I had one of the fish preparations Tonight the catch was either ahi or mahi. Since ahi is my favorite i opted for that. perfectly cooked, lightly seared and red in the middle. Served with spatzle that had some other things in it which was to die for. Portion sizes were more than enough and if we hadn't been leaving I would have brought it home for lunch. Of course we had to have dessert, chocolate brownie cake, real whipped cream, rocky road ice cream in a pool of dark chocolate what's not to like. There are so many places to try but think we'll add this to one we wouldn't mind eating at again.
(4)Jackie C.
The food was nothing short of delicious, but the atmosphere is mediocre. We were lucky to sit on the patio bc the inside of the restaurant smelled very musty and was unappetizing. However, the restaurant makes up for it with great service and delicious food. Our fish was so fresh. We had the calamari, fish tacos with ahi and island fish with mahi. We would definitely recommend this place although we would suggest calling and making a reservation outside.
(4)Asuka N.
Looking for a restaurant that wasn't in immediate area of the Mauna Lani/Waikoloa area where we were staying, we journeyed out to make the ~10-15 minutes drive up to Kawaihae and Plantation Grill for dinner on a Sunday night. It's a little tricky to see at first, as the larger building (Seafood Bar) has both the bigger building, as well as the bigger parking lot (we actually parked here, but Plantation Grill's parking is right in front of the restaurant, which you can turn into right off the highway). It's very chill and laid back; with a porch for diners sit outside (which we opted for) - a very homey atmosphere. The view isn't great, as it's a bit obstructed by large tanks that sit across the highway, but you don't worry as much once the food starts coming. Service was quick and friendly, and they don't bother you too much once you get started into the food. The food here - well, it's definitely one of the best meals we had while we were out here. We started with the smoked mahi mahi chowder, which was phenomenal. It's basically just like New England clam chowder - clams included - but also with chunks of smoked fish. That makes quite a difference, as the smokiness of the mahi diffuses into the soup, adding a depth of flavor most chowders don't have. The bowl is good to share, and a little pricey ($9), but worth every penny. For the entrees, I went with the half rack of ribs, while my fiancee did the lamb and pasta. The first notable thing is that the meat came off the bones so easily for both - they've clearly got the art of cooking tenderized, succulent meat, no matter what kind, down to an art here. I've never eaten ribs, even proper Southern ribs, that came off the bone like they did here. The citrus glaze is delicious without being overwhelming and taking away from the heartiness of the ribs - it's a perfect Hawaiian interpretation of a classic American dish. The lamb comes on a huge bone (which accounts for a good amount of the weight quoted), but it, too, slid right off. This is very much a heavy, heart dish as well - we only finished a little more than half, at best, before getting a box. The pasta that the lamb pairs with is very good - heavy, thick noodles in a creamy sauce that is full of flavor. We finished it off with an upside-down pineapple cake paired with ice cream. I really dug the ice cream, which was a bit darker than usual - maybe due to the richness/intensity of the Tahitian vanilla bean - but it worked well with the light sponge cake, which had a dash of pineapple in it (as well as an actual slice, if you wanted more intense flavor). Although this is more of a casual restaurant, it's definitely one of the best that I had the chance to dine at during our week out here. Fresh food, great takes on standard American dishes - it's hard to do a better job than these folks have. Would definitely recommend stopping by, even if you're staying down in the Kailua-Kona area - it's worth the hour or so drive up here for a meal.
(5)Sandra M.
This place is delicious and definitely deserving of 5-stars. We stopped by here for dinner not once, but twice, during our stay on the big island. We ordered fish + chips, the burger, hunter chicken, mac + cheese, baby back ribs, and shrimp linguine. Everything was divine! Ribs, the burger, and fish + chips are a must-order. Very casual and charming place in Kawaihae.
(5)Cec R.
Fantastic! We had a wonderful dinner our first night here. We started with the calamari appetizer which was unique because of the batter and the light, sweet, chili, vinegar-y dipping sauce. It was really well done. My husband got fish (mahi mahi) and chips. Great flavor and a wonderful homemade tartar sauce. I got a mahi mahi wrapped in prosciutto on top of a macadamia risotto....uh, it was delicious. It wasn't too heavy or greasy. We finished with dessert which didn't disappoint. My husband got a wonderful pineapple upside down cake with Tahitian vanilla ice cream and I got a rich chocolate cake with a homemade cayenne chocolate sauce served with macadamia rocky road....yum. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. Our server even opened a passion fruit on the table for us to try. Very fun! We would easily come back to this place. The server said they had great ribs :)
(5)Sarita V.
Oh common' guys! give em a break... The restaurant just opened! It usually takes some time to perfect what everyone expect from a new restaurant in the neighborhood. So here is my story about my experience... I must admit when my girlfriend suggested to eat here I was a little apprehensive due to the fact I read some of the negative reviews but I kept an opened mind and went for it. The minute I came in the host and the bartender welcomed me with their contagious smile. The environment suits the name very well (Plantation Grill.) Not pretentious but down to earth local plantation style restaurant. The bartender happens to be the owner. I ask him if he could make me one of my favorite Martinis if I give him my husbands recipe and when he made it! To be honest he actually made it better than my husband. Heee... heee... heee... Ok so come the entree, my friend ordered the Lamb Osso Bucco and I ordered the Lobster w/homemade pasta. Not a big red meat eater nor Lamb but when I tried my friends Osso Bucco Omg! I just loved the flavor and the meat just melt in your mouth. As for my lobster it was tasty and decadent. The only regret I had was not ordering the pasta "el dente" but that is just me I like my pasta on a firm side. After dinner we treated ourselves with Banana Foster with Caramel Sauce, do not miss this one! it is so good it will make you lick the whole bowl and spoon making a fool out of yourself in front of everyone and begging for more. So my advice don't share you Banana Foster :o) Ok, so why the 4 start not the 5 star? I for one never give anyone a 5 star cause in my opinion no matter how good the restaurant are there are always room for improvements. :o)
(4)Elyse C.
Love their Lobster Wednesday special! It was the best lobster I've ever eaten. The lobster was extremely tender and flavorful. Our server was extremely attentive and offered a lot of knowledge about the island and the restaurant. My mom had the fish and chips which was prepared with a locally caught Mahi Mahi. It was superb! If you are new to the island and looking for a delicious meal and great experience, try the Plantation Grill!
(5)Ellen L.
It was OK dinner nothing special so Need to mention that we are from NY and tried many restaurants there. We also travel around the world So to our taste it is just 3 stars. Seems like some items are reheated and not cooked for you
(3)Steven D.
We went earlier this year soon after they opened. We rated it one star. Then I was contacted by chef Casey who asked us to give them another try. Four of us went tonight. A totally different experience. The service was impeccable. The food was prepared perfectly, the portions large and the flavors excellent. A highlight was the smoked mahi chowder. We all raved about it. The Osso Bucco was superb as was tonight's special, grilled shrimp over a four cheese mac and cheese. Four big thumbs up. We are really glad we gave this restaurant another try. We will be back.
(4)Ashley C.
Nov 22,2013 Fri.-Recently read reviews about the plantation grill and was always wondering how the food was..so i took my girlfriend there for dinner and we dined outside. There was a bit of people dining. We started off with calamari and two margarittas. The calamari was very good! Best yet! For dinner my girlfriend had the prosciutto wrapped seasonal fish and i had the lobster linguini. The fish was a bit dry and i got a very small portion of the half lobster..but the linguini and sauce was perfect!..all in all the service was great and we enjoyed the food:)!!
(4)Nicole O.
Great food! The tomato, avocado feta salad was delicious. The seared ahi tuna plantation style was delicious. My boys had fish and chips which were great and the baby back ribs were also very good. The decor outdated but overlooked given the food was great.
(4)Tom O.
Great little place. We went pretty early for dinner (had a toddler in tow) so the place was fairly empty and the staff correspondingly attentive. They were very friendly and patient with our boy. It was definitely the best dinner that we had in Hawaii, with great food at reasonable prices (certainly far better and more reasonable than at the resorts!) My steak came out perfect. The only knock on the place is that the setting is not particularly attractive. I mean the building and decor are great and in keeping with the tropical theme, but you are literally directly across the street from two mammoth diesel tanks that block any view of the harbor. But hey, that seems a small price to pay for an otherwise great restaurant!
(4)Kimo S.
As with many of my reviews, I feel you need to go at least twice (maybe more) before giving a place a fair shake. Especially considering how new this place is, I expected some growing pains. With that being said, I am very surprised with both of our dinner experiences here and we will definitely be coming back. One of the things about being a kamaaina and doing a stay-cation in Kona is avoiding the resort meal prices, this is a fantastic opportunity to bring a great bottle of wine and enjoy a wonderful outdoor meal with good people and good food. You may want to call ahead for particular items you enjoy because we had some bad luck the second night with some delectable menu items being sold out. We ate through the menu with a group of six and had a blast since Plantation Grill has a reasonable corkage. The Lamb Osso Bucco was my favorite dish, we also had the Kamuela Tomato and Feta which was an amazing appetizer. I also thought the Shrimp Fritters were spectacular too. Enjoy, converse with the amazing staff and owners, bring some good wine and give them a shot. You will not be disappointed and if they continue to care about the quality and food as I know they do, this place will continue to grow into something spectacular.
(5)Kari S.
My husband and I live in Kona, but were staying in Waikoloa for the weekend. We did the "fancy" dinner (@ Manta at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel) the night before, and wanted something more casual. We figured we rarely have a chance to eat in Kawaihae, so we took a chance and found this place on Yelp. The restarant is easy to find and situated in a very rustic building that looks like it might have been a house long ago. Its a small place,with maybe 10 tables. We were seated right away and our waitress promptly came by to take drink orders. We didn't have any, so we spent some time looking at the menu. It isn't a large menu, maybe 4-5 different entrees, a few salads and appetizers. We ordered the nicoise salad, the half rack of ribs, and the ribeye. The salad was beautifully presented with greens, kalamata olives, and purple Okinawan sweet potatoes on the side. It was dressed beautifully and was very tasty. The only thing wrong was that it came at the same time as our two entrees which was a bit odd. We were kind of forced to eat both at the same time. My rack of ribs was a bit dry, but cooked well. The meat fell off the bones and the guava bbq sauce was great. It came with a side of coleslaw that was very fresh and complimented the ribs well. My husbands ribeye was ginormous. It didn't specifiy a size (i.e 12 ounce) of the steak on the menu, so he was surprised at the size. It was simply seasoned, cooked well and pretty good. It came with steak potatoes that were a little well done. Overall, this place is pretty decent given their location. We were happy we went.
(3)Kate H.
good find! was looking for a nice restaurant for our last night on the island and we definitely got it here. they are very vegan/vegetarian friendly (they always have one veg special each night and they are able to modify a lot of the existing menu items). they're big on using local ingredients, and you can definitely taste that in the food. lots of fresh fruits and veggies and mac nuts. it's a little distracting since it's right next to the highway, if you're sitting on the patio (like we did) the cars fly by, and there seemed to have been a lot of motorcycles - so it was pretty noisy. our waiter was also super nice - he saw that i had some pretty fresh sunburn, so he cut some fresh aloe from the plants behind the restaurant and packaged them up for me. i thought that was a super nice thing to do. i think they're closing for a bit for some renovations, but visit this place instead of going to a hotel/resort restaurant. you'll get a lot more for your money/time/experience.
(4)JOHN B.
What a great find in this title harbor. Traveled many times to the big island, but never discovered this little tiny town with great restaurants. The food here is exquisite. Fresh, locally grown vegetables come shining through. Great starter salad, followed by fresh caught Ono, prepared in 3 different ways, followed by bananas foster. I can't say enough about the quality of the food and how delicious it was. Not a cheap dinner, expect around $50pp, but well worth it!
(5)Deena H.
We ate there this past week, and the food was outstanding---just wonderful. Peppered marlin with fig, beet, lilkoi sauce; pineapple risotto; house special mahi in some delicious sauce. We were very happy with it and the service was fine. We were delighted to find a gourmet restaurant there.
(5)Shelly F.
My husband and I just returned from an anniversary trip to Hawaii and based on reviews, Plantation Grill was at the top of our list of restaurants to try. Boy are we glad that we did!! Being gluten and dairy sensitive, I was very pleased to see that they had many selections for me to choose from. In fact, the fish special of the night (seared ahi over vegan risotto) complied with my dietary restrictions. However, one would never have guessed that this was an allergy friendly dish! Most restaurants were able to offer me a very plain grilled piece of fish with a side of rice and steamed vegetables. The dish that I had at Plantation Grill was the BEST meal that I had, hands-down, while on this vacation (it was actually the best meal that I've had in a long, long time!)! In fact, I woke up the next morning craving the risotto and, thankfully, the portion was so large that I had leftovers, which my husband heated up in our hotel room coffee pot for me! My husband also thoroughly enjoyed his Island Fish. Our waiter gave us fantastic service and recommendations and was patient with all of our questions. The icing on the cake was the live singer/guitarist that was playing when we arrived. He had a great voice and fun sense of humor! I would not hesitate to recommend Plantation Grill to anyone and look forward to eating there again on our next trip to the Big Island!
(5)Albert M.
After growing tired of trying to find a reasonable local place near Waikoloa, I found this restaurant on Yelp. The reviews looked good. We were not disappointed. The food was really good and the service was awesome. To top off the night, our server noticed we had sunburns and returned with freshly cut aloe. It grows wild behind the building. The only reason I cannot give this place 5 stars is because the menu has a lot of items offered at market price. It is listed under a different name on Yelp with $$ signs. It should be either a $$$ or $$$$.
(4)Leo O.
Had home made pasta with lobster white sauce. No longer in the menu but they still made it. Excellent. Monkfish is great too. Overall everyone had a great dinner.
(5)Kirk J.
Great service from a magnificent staff. Excellent salad dressing that is reminiscent of the SoCal defunct Velvet Turtle green goddess dressing. Wife and I both had the fresh fish, which was swordfish. Two filets each with purple sweet potatoes/banana/onion and a sauce that did not overwhelm the fish. For dessert a generous portion of Macadamia nut fudge ice cream. From the owners to the chef to the wait staff, everyone shined.
(5)Janis L.
Everything was good. Service, drinks, food and even looking at the white industrial tanks with the ocean in the background, gave it a sort of romantic feel. Been here once before. We will be back!
(5)harry c.
I Love this place Have been going there since 2006 when it was the Harbour Grill. Stil one of my favotie palces the staff the food are excellent. Looking forward to dinner here in January..CAN"T WAIT!
(5)Chris S.
Overall, a very enjoyable dinner! The Mahi Clam Chowder is excellent. We went before dusk, and I found the seating inside to be very dark relative to outside, so I was sad that there wasn't more Hawaii sunlight in the space; I would recommend sitting outside. I had the ribs and thought they were good - very meaty and the BBQ sauce had good flavor (not the best, but my bar for BBQ sauce is high). The Mai Tai is good, but a little too much pineapple juice, and I would've appreciated more juice flavors to balance. Service was EXCELLENT. Of course, this is specific to our server, but he was very attentive, friendly, and useful in making recommendations on food and drink. Definitely would return for a second visit.
(4)Shawn T.
This has become a new favorite for me and my partner. We are always looking for good local fish and produce at restaurants but also crave creativity. The menu was amazing the night we were there. We started with scallops, which had an amazing goat cheese fritter stacked below each scallop. We split the Tropical Fish (purple sweet potatoes with caramelized onions and bananas and seared Ahi with macnut butter) for our entrée paired with the beet salad (which had fresh mango and spicy peanuts in it) for a side. The dishes were prepared to perfection: not too heavy, very colorful and a lot of complimenting tastes. The service was excellent too. The hostess sat us quickly and we got our drinks very fast afterward. The kitchen was busy with a 26 top seated inside but managed to get our food out faster than most other restaurants manage to on a slow night. Our waitress was friendly and personable. She was attentive when we needed it and let us have our space when we didn't need her. The attire was a mix bag, some parties were more formal and some very casual, but it wasn't a big deal- everyone felt very comfortable. Overall we had a great experience and plan to make this a regular date night location.
(5)Vi L.
I came here for some after dinner cocktails. We got seated at the patio area of the restaurant so we could enjoy the warm night. Service was really great here. Everyone was really friend and our waitress was really friendly and helped me decide which cocktail to get. We even got bread and butter, which I couldn't stop eating even though I was full. They kept checking up on us to make sure we were okay and if we needed any refills on our drinks or possibly food. Overall, I would come back here just for the welcoming/friendly service. Maybe try out the food next time.
(4)E M.
Very cute restaurant about a 20-30 minute drive from the Waikoloa resorts. The food was awesome! My husband and I shared a set menu seafood special which included salad, lobster, shrimp, fried calamari, seared scallops, mahi mahi, asparagus and purple potatoes for $80. YUMMY!! I subtracted a star for our server...he wasn't very attentive at first, but he got better towards the end.
(4)Jesse S.
For my dad's 60th birthday, our hotel (the Fairmont) recommended the Plantation Grill for a casual but upscale experience. It's rare that our high expectations are exceeded, but they were at the Plantation Grill. We found the atmosphere relaxed and inviting, the service impeccable (our server was Lei), and the food superb. In Hawaii, away from towns regulated by Michelin stars, I didn't expect to be surprised by the food anywhere, but I certainly was surprised by the Plantation Grill. The shrimp fritters were a standout among the starters, though we also enjoyed the calamari and the Caesar salad (which was delicious if slightly overdressed). Among the entrees, my partner and I both loved the Split Cargo, which is fresh and bright and rich at the same time. The food alone is worth a visit. But what's great about this restaurant is that it manages to be more than its food. It's informal and casual in its feel, but the service is attentive and thoughtful without being hyperserious -- and that's not at all an easy to balance to strike, even if it feels effortless. Beautifully done.
(5)Ali H.
Okay - we just got back from the Big Island and dined at the Plantation Grill twice. It was amazing. The service was impeccable! The food was creative, beautifully-presented, and delicious. We had the beet salad, the kamuelo tomato and feta salad, and the fish tacos. Seriously, really tasty! We had the ribs, the surf and turf, and the fish and chips. Delectable! We had the pineapple upside down cake for dessert - delish!! We also had the iced tea with pineapple juice, yum! Try the Mai Tai - best on the island! You can eat inside or out and although it is right across the street from a couple of water towers, you don't notice. Great atmosphere inside and out! Highly recommended. Best place we ate on the island!!
(5)Jerome N.
After an afternoon walk through the PuakÅ Petroglyph field in Waikoloa. Searched yelp for a good place for dinner. Our first try was the Blue Dragon, we called and it was booked til 8:30. We ended up at the Plantation Grill which was just a little bit further down the road. We got the Seafood Feast which was enough to feed 2 adults and 2 kids. Kids were full after the 2nd round of dishes but that's just my kids they don' t eat much. Our server was very friendly and helpful. He gave us some good tips for our next day outing. Food was great, would come back again.
(4)Michael L.
Great people, great food! Lacking the world class view that we come to expect in Hawaii. We had the catch of the day and the local favorite Korean Chicken. Both were very good. Great to see more reasonable pricing than what we typically see in the waikaloa resort area. Very friendly staff and great drinks. Also enjoyed the Banana's foster and Kona Coffee ice cream. If you're looking for a good low-key local place to eat, this is it...just 10mins from the Waikaloa Village area!
(4)A F.
Best fish ever. We took our servers recco and both ordered fresh fish catch, I had peppered ahi appetizer with slaw, she had ahi with pasta. Followed by pineapple upside down cake with local ice cream. This place is not to miss, in the little harbor at kawaihae at the end of he road up from the Kohala hotels.
(5)Alice H.
Great fall off the bone ribs, crispy calamari and a really cute tiki bar, don't miss the Wednesday night lobster dinner special!
(4)Grace E.
This place is so amazing!!!! I was always a huge fan of Kawaihae Harbor Grill and I was so sad when it closed, but it was reopened as the Plantation Grill by the daughter of the owners of Kawaihae grill, and she and her husband (the bartender/co-owner) have done a brilliant job of reopening it!!! The service is outstanding, you can really tell that the staff and the owners care so much about the business and the guests' experience. I've been there twice, and both times the service was amazing, we got really good food recommendations and everyone was so friendly. The owners were also there both nights, making sure that everything went well and all the guests were happy. The spirit and charm of the old grill was kept intact, and the food is even better!! There are now more non-fish options on the menu (including a mouth-watering Cornish hen, and amazing ribs), but my favorite choice was the fresh fish- I couldn't get enough of it! The drinks were also amazing, and the deserts were delicious. I can't wait to go back!
(5)A P.
We ate at the Plantation Grill tonight and had a wonderful experience! Our server was knowledgeable and made great suggestions, and he was very friendly and fun with our daughter. The chef prepared a vegetarian entree at my request. It was huge, and really well seasoned and prepared. My husband had the ahi island style, and he was very impressed with the freshness of the fish and the preparation. The spaetzle was great, too. All in all, this was a terrific meal for our last night in Hawaii. Service was excellent and timely, food was fantastic. I think the patio is probably a bit nicer than the indoor dining. We would absolutely come back.
(5)steve P.
Two choices of Mac and cheese for the kids ($7) and they loved it. Tenderloin ($32) was fantastic. Brownie sundae was huge, and delicious ($9). Caesar salad had bacon in it, that 2 of 3 at our table did not like. Riff Pino-Gigio ($40 in San Francisco, $32 at plantation) Ambiance was fun, funky... In a historic store from 1850, that was once on the water, and now is across the street from a concrete plant where the water was. Very nice staff. Very worth a break from the hotel restaurants.
(4)Della W.
We happened upon Plantation by accident and decided to give it a try. It looked very inviting from the outside and we were in the mood for something cozy and local which is exactly what it was. We started off at the bar for a drink and ended up meeting some really nice people and having our dinner there. The beers were ice cold and their Tropical Margaritas were the best I've ever had. We ordered the Calamari which was paired with this amazing dipping sauce. We also had the ribs, which as promised fell off the bone. Plantation Grill is a great local spot and it will not disappoint. We highly recommend giving it a try, we loved it.
(5)Zack S.
Casual yet classy with professional, polite waiters and a nice ambiance. Came here with my parents and had the seafood special which included several dishes. Our first course was their seafood clam chowder, which I thought was excellent. Nice and thick with lots of seafood and not very many potatoes in it. The second course included seared ahi, an ahi poke and sea scallops. The seared ahi was probably the best I've ever had. It was nice and raw in the middle with the outside cooked white, not burned. The poke was disappointing in my opinion as it was full of soy sauce which cause it to be too salty and ruined the taste of the fresh ahi. The scallops were very well prepared and tasted nice. The third course consisted of a Maine lobster, king crab legs, fried calamari, grilled mahi mahi, asparagus, purple potatoes and grilled shrimp. The Maine lobster was nice and smooth but it left me a bit confused. The draw of this place is the fresh seafood which they are supposed to get from across the street. If that is the case, I'm not sure how many Maine lobsters are in the Pacific near Hawaii. It tasted good however so I won't complain. The king crab legs, again, a question as to their source, were good, but they kind of butchered them buy cutting the legs on the sides. This was done for ease as you don't have to crack the crab yourself, but that left the meat damaged and unable to pull large chunks out to eat. The fried calamari was better than average. The grilled mahi mahi was very well prepared and had a nice flavor. The asparagus and potatoes were also good but clearly a side. The grilled shrimp were clearly grilled rather than merely baked. This gave them a nice texture and taste. Along with the size of the shrimp, very good shrimp without having to be fried or dipped in butter. All of this set us back $140, which I won't say is a premium for the seafood we got, but it certainly put this meal into a separate class. I initially was going to give the Plantation 3 stars as it met expectations for the price but didn't really exceed. After talking to others and thinking about it though, they really took care of us. The dish is normally designed for two people but we ordered it for three. Having done this, I'm pretty sure they threw in an extra crab leg, scallop, and bowl of clam chowder, so we could each have one. In addition after dinner, they gave us some ice cream with home made chocolate sauce and whip cream, free of charge. At $140 should these extras been included? Maybe. But the fact that they didn't make a big deal about us doing this and just throwing in the extra food without an extra charge was very nice and made me feel they appreciated our business. This made me appreciate the experience more and had me feeling taken care of. If you're on a budget this isn't the place for you but if you've got some money to spend (which most do when visiting Hawaii) and the $140 doesn't scare you I would definitely recommend a meal at the Plantation.
(4)Tyler L.
Great little place by the side of the "highway," which is really a quiet, two lane road. I had the coconut shrimp and the smoked ribs. Both were fantastic. Service was good but the food and the atmosphere really made the night. I have been extremely satisfied both times I've eaten here.
(5)S H.
Best meal we had on the Big Island--and there were many strong contenders! We had the chicken salad stuffed papaya, amazing short ribs, and sweet Korean chicken. All were delicious. The house bread and guava butter were also a treat! We wish you were around the corner instead of thousands of miles away! Great ambience, too.
(5)Sydney H.
The food is delicious and the menu is creative. My husband and I tried the calamari and the split tenderloin entree- both were cooked to perfection and just amazing. This is the best food we've had in Hawaii in three days and the entire meal with a bottle of wine and cocktails was barely over $100. The service was great and this is a fabulous addition to the island. I'm sure we will return before the end of our trip! Highly recommended!
(5)Beccky T.
I am sad to see so many bad reviews here, since I think they have only been open for a few weeks... give em a chance, eh? I've eaten here twice so far and I don't have anything nearly terrible to say as the other people on here... anyways. their menu is original and delicious, nothing is over or under done.. I think they did a really nice job. the service was what you would expect for a new restaurant, fair. not bad, but nothing exciting, since once again, only a few weeks in business. I wouldn't write this place off so soon based on these other peoples complaints. still majorly craving their homemade pasta, sooooo good!
(4)Ed F.
Outstanding steak. Good fish-n-chips. Nice atmosphere. Friendly service.
(4)